Southwest Berkeley in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
San Pablo Tennis Club
An African American Community Organization
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 2, 2021
1. San Pablo Tennis Club Marker
Inscription.
San Pablo Tennis Club. An African American Community Organization. The San Pablo Tennis Club (SPTC) was established in 1954 by a group of predominantly Black tennis players who wanted to promote tennis, particularly for the youth, in their much beloved community. Due to racial discrimination, the San Pablo Park courts were the only courts in Berkeley where Blacks were welcomed to play. The Club was organized with elected officers, monthly meetings, and eventually up to 400 members.
In 1987 and 1988, SPTC qualified three teams (Men's 3.0, Men's 4.0, Women's 3.0) for the United States Tennis Association National Championships. In 1987, the Men's 3.0 team, Topspins, won the National Championships held at Seabrook Island Resort in Charleston, South Carolina. SPTC hosted tennis competitions and social events, participated annually in two national African American tennis tournaments: the Pacific Coast Championships and the American Tennis Association, and contributed to maintaining the tennis courts. SPTC's dedication and tennis leadership contributed significantly to establishing San Pablo Park's reputation for tennis excellence and great social camaraderie.
San Pablo Tennis Club Founders
Laura M. Bennett · Isabel "Izzy Dishroom · Ed Jay · Clarence Kyle · Margaret Robinson · Harold S. Bennett, Sr. · Wesley E. Hester, Sr. · Robert Johnson, Sr. · James "JD Nelson · Theresa Sanders · Dorothy Wallace Carnegie · Bob Houston · Emmett Jones · Ollie Pendleton · Don Tyson · Dennis Chew · Bill Jackson · Louise Jones · Frank Robinson ,
The San Pablo Tennis Club (SPTC) was established in 1954 by a group of predominantly
Black tennis players who wanted to promote tennis, particularly for the youth, in their
much beloved community. Due to racial discrimination, the San Pablo Park courts were
the only courts in Berkeley where Blacks were welcomed to play. The Club was organized
with elected officers, monthly meetings, and eventually up to 400 members.
In 1987 and 1988, SPTC qualified three teams (Men's 3.0, Men's 4.0, Women's 3.0) for
the United States Tennis Association National Championships. In 1987, the Men's 3.0
team, Topspins, won the National Championships held at Seabrook Island Resort in
Charleston, South Carolina. SPTC hosted tennis competitions and social events,
participated annually in two national African American tennis tournaments: the Pacific
Coast Championships and the American Tennis Association, and contributed to
maintaining the tennis courts. SPTC's dedication and tennis leadership contributed
significantly to establishing San Pablo Park's reputation for tennis excellence and great
social camaraderie.
San Pablo Tennis Club Founders
Laura M. Bennett ·
Isabel "Izzy Dishroom ·
Ed Jay ·
Clarence Kyle ·
Margaret Robinson ·
Harold S. Bennett, Sr. ·
Wesley E. Hester, Sr. ·
Robert Johnson, Sr. ·
James "JD Nelson ·
Theresa Sanders ·
Dorothy Wallace Carnegie ·
Bob Houston ·
Emmett Jones ·
Ollie Pendleton ·
Don Tyson ·
Dennis Chew ·
Bill Jackson ·
Louise Jones ·
Frank Robinson
Erected 2021.
Click or scan to see this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1954.
Location. 37° 51.298′ N, 122° 17.078′ W. Marker is in Berkeley, California, in Alameda County. It is in Southwest Berkeley. It is on Mabel Street south of Oregon Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Berkeley CA 94702, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area and on the Coast Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
More about this marker. The marker is mounted to a cement monument located at the entrance to the tennis courts in San Pablo Park.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 2, 2021
3. The Topspins
Quite close nearby, mounted to the fence, is a banner depicting the Topspins - the mens 3.0 national champion tennis team of 1987. (click on photo to enlarge
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,196 times since then and 139 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on July 6, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
